One of the poster’s claims for this new British prison movie is that it is ‘the first truly great film of 2014’.

The Oscar pack would seriously dispute that statement, never mind Wes Anderson for his more recent drama The Grand Budapest Hotel or the directors of The Lego Movie.

What we can say is that, despite its inevitable hard-surface jailhouse cliches, Starred Up is impressively well filmed, impeccably acted and, for those of a nervous disposition, brutally shocking.

Derby-born Eden Lake actor Jack O’Connell is very menacing as Eric, a muscular young man transferred to an adult prison.

And, despite being searched with a mirror where the sun doesn’t shine, he has somehow taken into his cell a trick or two for later.

Still brimming with pent up anger, the rest of the inmates had better watch out.

Except that one of them, Neville, is his dad – played by Ben Mendelsohn (The Place Beyond the Pines).

Can he keep his son under control or are they both likely to stay inside indefinitely?

Shooting for authenticity in the Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast and HM Prison Maze in Lisburn, Scottish director David Mckenzie (Hallam Foe / Young Adam) is adept in both confined spaces and with some long tracking shots through shared areas.

Despite having been written by therapist Jonathan Asser, the film almost inevitably doesn’t have anywhere meaningful to go in terms of penal reform and the title’s shorthand re Eric’s ‘premature upgrading to adult prisoner status’ is vague.

With the language strong and the violence even heavier, it’s ideal for those who liked Scum (1979) or Tom Hardy’s Bronson (2008).

But, if you prefer the gentler side of life, be warned...

It’s certainly never fun escapism like Robert Redford’s The Last Castle (2001), while Frank Darabont won’t be lying awake at night wondering if this will win hearts like The Shawshank Redemption (1994).